Press Releases

How the GOP Members Attacking Clean Energy Funding Are Raking In Its Benefits

To: Interested Parties
From: Evergreen Action Deputy Communications Director Seth Nelson
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Re: How the GOP Members Attacking Clean Energy Funding Are Raking In Its Benefits 

On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), will hold a hearing designed to manufacture controversy around clean energy funding from the Biden era.But make no mistake, this is not a legitimate oversight effort. It is a bad-faith attack on Congressionally mandated investments that are creating jobs and revitalizing communities, including in the districts of the very Republicans leading this hearing. The premise rests on a debunked conspiracy theory pushed by the right-wing disinformation group Project Veritas and amplified by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who falsely claimed to have uncovered “gold bars” at the agency. In reality, these funds are part of the legally obligated $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which is already spurring private investment, lowering energy costs, and creating good-paying jobs. Yet, even as House Republicans attempt to dismantle clean energy investments, many have taken credit for the same IRA-driven projects benefiting their districts. 

Below is a breakdown of how federal clean energy investments have benefited these members’ districts—the very investments they now attack—alongside their own words previously supporting federal support for domestic manufacturing and job creation:

Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman

IRA-driven investment: $251 million in clean energy spending.
Westwater Resources’ graphite plant for batteries in Kellyton, AL: Driven by the IRA, creating 100 jobs and securing $202 million in private investment.

Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)

IRA-driven investment: $306 million already spent, with an additional $1 billion announced.
Volvo Truck Manufacturing Plant in Dublin, VA: Received $208 million in IRA funding, projected to sustain 7,900 union jobs and create 295 new jobs.
In His Own Words:

  • Rep. Griffith expressed concern about industries in his district being shut down by federal decisions. “[My] district is a little more stressed,” he said. “A large part of that has to do with our industries, many of which were shut down over the years by federal regulations and federal decisions.” [Cardinal News, 8/29/24]

Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)

IRA-driven investment: $1.67 billion already spent, with $221 million announced.
Danfoss’ clean HVAC investment in Tallahassee, FL: $62 million investment, creating jobs and expanding manufacturing.
In His Own Words:

  • Rep. Dunn said that “business-friendly incentives are crucial now more than ever as Americans compete with Chinese companies to keep manufacturing & R&D in America” and that the U.S. “must always prioritize American companies & innovation over Chinese competitors.” [Statement, 1/22/25]
  • His campaign website condemned U.S. overreliance on Chinese imports, writing, “Our overreliance on imported essential products [...] compromises national security.” [NealDunn.com, viewed 2/25/25]

Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)

IRA-driven investment: $4.36 billion already spent, with $1.27 billion announced.
Seven new clean energy projects: Between the IRA’s passage and June 2024, GA-12 attracted seven new clean energy projects, generating 2,736 new jobs and $1.46 billion in investments.
Aspen Aerogels’ factory in Register, GA: Received $671 million in IRA-backed funding, creating 550 construction jobs and 250 permanent jobs.

Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)

IRA-driven investment: $5.46 million already spent, with $901 million announced.
In His Own Words:

  • “I will always focus on robust job growth,” Rep. Rulli wrote in an op-ed ahead of Election Day last November. “I am staunchly in favor of [...] “incentivizing investment in the private sector and growing a competitive marketplace that empowers entrepreneurs to generate employment opportunities that drive economic prosperity.” [Canton Repository, Guest Opinion, 10/20/24]
  • “Our region was once renowned for its quality manufacturing, high living standards and job opportunities,” Rep. Rulli lamented in the same op-ed. “I am committed to restoring this legacy and have tirelessly championed policies as a state senator and now congressman critical to its revival.” [Canton Repository, Guest Opinion, 10/20/24]
  • While running for office, he agreed that bringing more jobs to the district was critical and was determined to return “quality manufacturing and high living standards” to the district. [Morning Journal News, 3/9/24]

Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)

IRA-driven investment: $847 million already spent, with $398 million announced.
In His Own Words:

  • Rep Balderson’s official website states that Ohio and the country “depend on the success of robust manufacturing and agriculture sectors, and thousands of Ohioans rely on jobs in these fields.” [Balderson Issues Page, viewed 2/25/25]
  • “It’s vital we support our farmers and manufacturers right here in Ohio by reducing red tape and promoting policies that support these sectors.” [Balderson Issues Page, viewed 2/25/25]

Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02)

IRA-driven investment: $565 million already spent, with $3.53 billion announced.
In His Own Words:

  • “A strong manufacturing base is key to turning our economy around and getting our nation back on the right path,” Rep Guthrie wrote on his official website. “We cannot control the fact that we live in a global economy [...] What we can control is creating a better environment for manufacturers in the United States. This starts with a national energy plan [...] The only thing impeding our next manufacturing boom is inaction.” [Congressional Op-Ed, 2/7/12]
  • “The United States must [...] reassert our leadership in global energy production and innovation,” he argued. “We can accomplish this by increasing domestic energy production, as well as developing and deploying new technologies that will help us diversify our energy portfolio and ensure we continue to be good stewards of our environment.” [Washington Times, 4/17/24]

Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)

IRA-driven investment: $546 million already spent, with $296 million announced.
Geothermal heating program for Cascade, ID: Received $200,000 in funding through the Funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program to build a geothermal heating program for the city and create high-quality jobs.

  • EECBG Program support: Funding for the EECBG program comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)

IRA-driven investment: $3.16 billion already spent, with $8.29 billion announced.
BASF’s Freeport, TX project: Received up to $75 million in IRA/IIJA funding for low-carbon syngas production.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)

IRA-driven investment: $149 million already spent, with $963 million announced.

A Political Stunt That Betrays Their Own Constituents

This hearing is clearly a partisan stunt aimed at undermining clean energy investments that are creating jobs, lowering energy costs, and driving economic growth—exactly as Congress intended. Instead of embracing these investments, Republicans are siding with Trump’s effort to block legally obligated funds, putting thousands of jobs in their own districts at risk. Their constituents should ask why their representatives are trying to eliminate investments that are boosting local economies and securing America’s energy future.

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